Sam Kerr case polarises as politicians, former stars weigh in on ’racist’ debate

Sam Kerr’s standing in the national consciousness is being reflected by the number and types of people responding publicly to her alleged slur in London.

Kerr, 30, is set to face a trial in London next year after pleading not guilty for allegedly calling a police officer a “stupid white bastard” in a dispute over a taxi fare.

A range of figures have voiced their thoughts on the allegation, from other high-profile sports people to politicians and countless members of the public.

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NSW premier Chris Minns was asked on Thursday if Kerr’s alleged comment should be considered racist.

“No,” he replied, in a succinct response that seems to reflect the opinion of most people.

NSW health minister Ryan Park said he had “been called a lot worse”, a sentiment echoed by former Socceroo Robbie Slater.

“Without trivialising what she might have said, it sounds like something silly might have happened, it’s a bizarre thing,” Slater told Sky News Australia on Thursday.

“I’ve been called a lot worse I can tell you.

“I think Sam might have had a few too many on one evening and probably said something stupid, but a four-day trial – I mean you’d walk into Downing Street Court and I think you’d be out within the hour for something like this.

“You can’t trivialise racism, but like I said, I’ve been called a lot worse.”

Minns’ response didn’t sit well with everybody, however, including One Nation MP Tania Mihailuk, who previously served alongside the premier in the Labor Party.

“The premier has just endorsed racism. He also exposed himself as a total hypocrite, pandering to populism at the expense of sound judgement,” Mihailuk